Author: Community Contributor

Monique Limón “Counter Plans” for Inauguration

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) announced how she would be observing the days around the swearing in ceremonies of President-Elect Trump. “Several people have asked me what I will be doing when the 45th President of the United States…

Small Business Organizations Give Assemblymember Irwin Top Marks

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was honored by the California Small Business Association and California Small Business Roundtable with the Summa Cum Laude distinction in their 2016 Legislative Honor Roll. Assemblymember Irwin was recognized for her extraordinary support…

Bilingual commentary: Refusing to Discuss

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Lompoc Family YMCA Accepting Applications for Upcoming LIVESTRONG Program

Free program helps adult cancer survivors return to physical activity The Lompoc Family YMCA is accepting applications for its upcoming LIVESTRONG program, which helps adult cancer survivors return to physical activity, increase fitness performance and have better quality of life.…

Guest commentary: Professor, You’re Being Watched!?

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. Frank P. Barajas. Courtesy photo.…

Guest column: Residents hold the KEYS to Transform Oxnard into a Premier Art City of California

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. Armando Vazquez. Courtesy photo. By…

New Affordable Housing for Seniors Breaks Ground

SANTA BARBARA — After 113 years in the Santa Barbara community, Grace Lutheran Church began a new chapter on Jan. 5 with a groundbreaking to celebrate the start of construction of Grace Village, a new housing community for low-income seniors. Held…

Assemblymember Irwin received the “Golden Bear Award” from the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard (CAL EANGUS)

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was honored by the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard (CAL EANGUS) with the prestigious “Golden Bear Award” for her impressive work improving the lives of California’s National Guard members. “Assemblywoman Irwin…

Unite to Light Partners with Innovative Mobile Donation App: Coin Up Turning Spare Change into Meaningful Change

Santa Barbara nonprofit aims to increase awareness and expand reach in 2017 SANTA BARBARA — Unite to Light has joined efforts with Coin Up to offer an innovative and efficient way for donors and activists to help their favorite cause using…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County: BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE is Creating a BIG Experience for Littles!

VENTURA COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is looking for teams and individuals to participate in the annual BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE fundraising event, to help support a BIG experience for program youth: by supporting Bowl For Kids’…

Bilingual commentary: The Changing World of Retail

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Ventura County Public Works Agency projects receive top honors at American Public Works Association award ceremony

VENTURA COUNTY – The Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) can add three more recognitions to its list of notable accolades. This month, the American Public Works Association (APWA) Ventura County chapter announced its Projects of the Year awards, honoring three…

Gold Coast Transit District’s Robert Lurie, Director of Fleet and Facilities, retires after 35 years

OXNARD — After nearly 35 years of dedicated service, Gold Coast Transit District’s Robert Lurie, Director of Fleet and Facilities has retired. Lurie joined GCTD (then known as SCAT) in March of 1982 as a mechanic and by 1986 he was…

LinkedIn Officially Endorses SBCC Career Skills Institute

SANTA BARBARA — SBCC Career Skills Institute is proud to announce its endorsement by LinkedIn for its outstanding efforts to build a better future for the community’s workforce and employers. The Career Skills Institute and LinkedIn share the common goal…

CSU Channel Islands receives grant to develop four-year teacher preparation programs

Grant will help university’s effort to develop Bilingual and Special Education teachers CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will receive a grant of almost $250,000 from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to develop four-year teacher preparation programs. California is experiencing…

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Barbara County Celebrates 30 Years of Local Mentoring

SANTA BARBARA — In 2017, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Santa Barbara County will celebrate its 30th year of providing life-changing mentoring friendships for our community’s struggling youth. January is National Mentoring Month and currently over 80 at-risk children in Santa…

Bilingual commentary: Another Year to Build Our Lives

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Last chance to submit art work for official poster contest of the 2017 California Strawberry Festival

OXNARD — The final days are fast approaching so start thinking berries! Art and strawberries can be a fruitful enterprise. Enter the 34th Annual California Strawberry Festival Official Poster Contest where the winner will receive $2,000 and four VIP tickets to the celebration…

Channel Island’s Maritime Museum Offers “Groups Only” Days for Customized Events

OXNARD — Private groups may now claim the Channel Island Maritime Museum as theirs exclusively for events and tours, the Museum recently announced. Perched on some of the most scenic waterfront property in Ventura County, the Museum gives visitors a…

Latino News Notes: More voters will have access to non-English ballots in the next election cycle

By D’Vera Cohn • Pew Research Center The federal government has long required election ballots in some U.S. jurisdictions to be printed in languages other than English, based on the number of voting-age citizens who live in those communities and have limited English…

Through Feb. 12 — ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! presents Ballet Hispánico

SANTA BARBARA — Doors open one half hour before the show starts. Reception follows concert. Las puertas se abrirán media hora antes de la functión. Habrá recepción después del concierto. More info: (805) 252-3493 or facebook.com/vivaelartesb Ballet Hispánico brings communities…

Through Jan. 31 — KHAY’s Dave Daniels Joins Foster VC for “Open Heart” Home Drive

VENTURA COUNTY — Every child deserves a family, and this New Year, 100.7 KHAY’s Dave Daniels hopes that by joining Foster VC Kids for their “Open Heart” drive, through Jan. 31st, more dedicated families who are ready for the life-changing experience…

Feb. 24 — ‘An Evening of Chican@ Rock: Quetzal,” The Hub, Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA — The UCSB Multicultural Center is hosting An Evening of Chicano Rock with East L.A. band QUETZAL on Friday, February 24th at 8 pm. A Grammy-Award winning East LA Chican@ rock group, Quetzal is the collaborative project of Quetzal Flores (guitar),…

Feb. 21 — Bilingual Presentation “Laundry in 18th and 19th century Mexico” by Marie Francois, Ph.D., Professor of History

Santa Paula — Bilingual Presentation — “Laundry in 18th and 19th century Mexico” by Marie Francois, Ph.D., Professor of History, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, Blanchard Community Library, 119 North 8th Street, Santa Paula. Abstract: Las lavanderas de la ciudad de México…

Feb. 25 — Social Justice Fund for Ventura County presenting free workshop — ‘Hidden Prejudice: Barriers to Success in Education’

CAMARILLO — The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County will present the free workshop — “Hidden Prejudice: Barriers to Success in Education” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Ventura County Community Foundation, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo.…

Feb. 24 — Ventura County Go Red For Women Luncheon set for the Four Seasons – Westlake Village

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The American Heart Association will host its annual Ventura County Go Red For Women Luncheon on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Four Seasons – Westlake Village, Two Dole Drive in Westlake Village. The Luncheon will begin…

Feb. 22 — How to Create and Market Videos to Get Your P.R. Message Across is Topic at February PRSA Gold Coast Chapter Meeting

OXNARD — Pictures often are worth more than words for individuals and companies promoting brands and seeking publicity in today’s 24/7 media world. Tony Pinto, owner of Simi Valley-based Pinto Productions, will share his insights on delivering a public relations…

Feb. 4 — Beowulf: The Bear’s Son – A reading by local author Jon Christopher – at the Ojai Library

SUBJECT: Beowulf: The Bear’s Son – A reading by local author Jon Christopher – at the Ojai Library CONTACT: Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, (805) 218-9146 Julie Albright, Youth Librarian, (805) 646-6019 DATE: February 4, 2017; 2 p.m. Local author Jon…

Feb. 25-26 — Consulado Móvil in Santa Maria

Dears friends: On behalf of the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard it is my pleasure to share with you the following information: On Saturday February 25th and Sunday February 26th 2017 we will have aMobile Consulate in the City of Santa Maria California We will be from 8:00…

Feb. 18-19 — Art Comes Alive at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum

OXNARD — Visitors of all ages can enjoy an assortment of maritime mysteries associated with the life and times of historical characters, portrayed by volunteers in period costume, and hear stories about the fascinating maritime heritage surrounding rare and beautiful paintings…

Through Feb. 26 — ‘On the Margin / Luchando Contra El Olvido’ at the Carnegie Art Museum

OXNARD — The exhibit of “On the Margin / Luchando Contra El Olvido” by CAM Studio Guest Artist Antonio Arredondo Juarez will be presented through Feb. 26 at the Carnegie Art Museum, 329 N. Fifth St., Oxnard. Antonio Arredondo Juarez was born…

Feb. 9 — Ventura County Climate HUB “Climate Health: Protect-Plan-Participate”

Ventura County Climate Hub Monthly Meeting 2017 Climate Protection Planning WHEN: Thursday, February 9th. Doors open 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St, Ventura, 93003, rear parking lot to Fellowship Hall. WHAT: The Ventura County…

Feb. 11 — Grand Opening Ushers Exceptional Senior Living into Small-Town Carpinteria

CARPINTERIA — On Saturday Feb. 11th, GranVida Senior Living and Memory Care community will celebrate the grand opening of its exceptional one-of-a-kind property in the intimate beachside town of Carpinteria, CA. Celebrated for its decision not to disturb the coastline…

Feb. 9 — Speakers Rick Najera & Soraya Deen Talk Diversity at Canoga Park High School

CANOGA PARK — Diversity leaders Soraya Deen and Rick Najera will speak at Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park, CA on Thursday, February 9 at 7 p.m. to raise funds for Multicultural Learning Center’s (MLC) graduating class of 2017 and for Canoga Park High…

Bilingual report: Clinicas del Camino Real Inc. hosting Dental Health Fair on Feb. 11 in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month

OXNARD — February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. If you have a baby or toddler, you may have questions about thumb sucking, your child’s first dental visit or how and when to clean your child’s teeth. If so, on February…

Feb. 11 — 2017 Arcade Poetry Series — Alicia Morris Soto and Nancy-Jean Pement at the Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard

OXNARD — 2017 Arcade Poetry Series — Alicia Morris Soto and Nancy-Jean Pement at the Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard on Saturday, Feb. 11. Upcoming events: March 18 Christopher Buckley and Sara Borjas April  8  Lauren Henley & Jonathan Maule with Zayan…

Jan. 12 — Ventura County Climate Hub hosts “Water and Oil Do Not Mix” with Mni Wiconi Pacifica

WHEN: Thursday, January 12th. Doors open at 6:30 pm for meet and greet. Program starts at 7 pm. WHERE: Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston Ave, Ventura, 93003. Fellowship hall; back parking lot. WHO: Presenters Kimberly Rivers, Executive Director for…

State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson to speak at Women’s March in Los Angeles on Jan. 21

LOS ANGELES — State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) will join the Women’s March in Los Angeles tomorrow and speak at a rally held at Los Angeles City Hall. Jackson, the author of California’s landmark equal pay law and joint…

Nominations deadline is Jan. 11 for El Concilio Family Services’ 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards

OXNARD — The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11 for El Concilio Family Services’ 28th annual Latino Leadership Awards. We are asking for award nominations of individuals or businesses that have made an outstanding contribution in enhancing the educational…

Jan. 21 — Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A to hold free community art workshop

The Acuña Art Gallery and Cultural Center/ Cafe on A will be hosting a free community art workshop on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of building healthy communities through the…